An Introduction to Competency
working with the Adoption Constellation
with Abby Hasberry, PhD, LMFT, LCMFT & Brooke Randolph, LMHC, LIMHP, LPC, LPCC-S
Online Training
January 20-21, 2027
9am – 6pm (U.S. Eastern Time Zone)
Dr. Abby Hasberry and I have named this training an Introduction to Adoption Competency because we never fully arrive; however, we believe that more important information about working with the entire adoption constellation is presented in two days than in other longer trainings. We believe all therapists are working with the adoption constellation, and we all have more to learn. This course is constantly being updated with new research and theories.
Discounts are available for provisionally licensed professionals, students, as well as an access & inclusion rate. We want everyone who wants to be there to be able to be. The adoption constellation deserves access to more therapists with more knowledge and understanding.
This training will include:
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- competency & ethics in working with the adoption constellation,
- working with all members of the adoption constellation & those impacted by foster care,
- working with children, adults, & families,
- special populations within the adoption population & co-ocurring conditions,
- conceptualization, diagnosis, goals, and modalities for adoption therapy
- neurodevelopment, attachment, & adoption throug the lifespan,
- research, systems, racism, & adoption history.
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Training Objectives:
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- List three special populations with a higher percentage of adoption constellation members
- Describe the neurological impact of early parental separation
- Define Late Discovery Adoptee (LDA)
- Be able to instruct parents on how to talk about adoption with children
- List key components of Adoption Therapy
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Every therapist truly desires to be competent and helpful for all of their clients. Unfortunately, most clinicians were never provided even a basic introduction to adoption, let alone an explanation or analysis of the complexities adoption entails.
Sixty-five percent of clinical psychologists surveyed were unable to recall any courses addressing adoption in graduate school, which is better than the eighty-six percent who could not recall any courses addressing adoption in their undergraduate coursework either (Javier, et al., 2006).
Because adoptees are overrepresented in a variety of populations, including but not limited to competitive athletics, addictions, eating disorders, LGBTQ+, and incarceration, it is likely that you are working with adoptees whether you know it or not.
There are no pre-requisites for this 2-day training. A third optional day on setting up Brainspotting with the Adoption Constellation is available for those who have been trained in Brainspotting Phase 1 (Phase 2 is strongly recommended). Brainspotting trained therapists who would like to sign up for all three days, including the Brainspotting specialty workshop approved by Dr. David Grand, can do so here.
2-day Training Registration
Registration Rates
CEs are included
| Early Bird (sale ends July 31, 11:59 EST) | $450 |
| Standard Registration (sale ends November 30, 11:59 EST) | $500 |
| Standard Late Registration | $550 |
| Provisional License Rate (sale ends November 30, 11:59 EST) | $400 |
| Provisional License Late Registration | $450 |
| Access & Inclusion Rate (sale ends November 30, 11:59 EST) | $300 |
| Access & Inclusion Late Registration | $350 |
| Student Rate (sale ends November 30 11:59 EST) | $200 |
| Student Late Registration | $250 |
| Retake Registration (sale ends November 30, 11:59 EST) | $200 |
| Retake Late Registration | $250 |
14 CE hours (including 1 Ethics hour) have been approved through Practice Excellence. Practice Excellence has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7601. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Practice Excellence is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
14 CE hours (including 1 Ethics hour) have been approved through academic sponsorship by the University of Georgia School of Social Work as required by Rule 135-B under the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists.
More training dates will be announced soon
Sign up below to be notified by email
Inclusivity & Anti-Oppresion
As an individual and a trainer, I am committed to recognizing, addressing, and eradicating all forms of racism, ethnic oppression, religious intolerance, sexual discrimination, ableism, and any mistreatment of marginalized communities. I recognize that regardless of one’s own race, ethnicity, or background, individuals are at various points along an anti-racist and just world journey. I also recognize that bias can be unconscious or unintentional. As a trainer striving for an anti-oppression, unbiased work space, it is my goal to develop a warm and welcoming, inclusive community. I will purposefully strive to create a safe learning environment for all people, and will not tolerate any mistreatment or discomfort caused to any participant in my training program based on racial, religious, ethnic, neurodivergent, ableism, gender, or any other bias. Thank you for your contibution to creating a safe learning environment for everyone.
Meet the Trainers
Abby Hasberry
Abigail Hasberry, PhD, decided after years in education as a college professor, middle school teacher, and principal to continue her education inn Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling. Throughout her career, she has used her education and experiences to help others develop themselves personally and professionally. Abby is a lifelong learner who loves learning formally through research and training and informally from interactions with others. She has lived and traveled all over the world, and love to experience new places and cultures. Abby is a transracial adoptee and a birth mom, who has navigated the reunion journey for both identities.
Abby completed a Master of Education in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling from Lamar University in 2022. She also holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction from UNLV, a Master of Arts in Teaching from Goucher College, and a Bachelor of Science in African American History and Sociology from Towson University. She is an adoption competent therapist who graduated from the accredited Training for Adoption Competency.
Brooke Randolph
Brooke Randolph, LMHC, LIMHP, LPC, LPCC-S, is a speaker, author, and therapist. She is the founder and Executive Director of Counseling at The Green House, a boutique group practice focused on working with the adoption constellation, with therapists licensed in Indiana, Kentucky, Texas, Michigan, Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Massachusetts. Brooke’s specialities are Adoption Therapy & Brainspotting. She is passionate about raising the bar for Adoption Therapy.
Brooke started her career focused on adoption. She is an Adoption Specialist, adoptee advocate, single adoptive parent, and also a kinship guardian and caregiver. She works to maintain an open international adoption and promotes family preservation.
She was a founding member of MLJ Adoptions, Inc., where she served as the VP of Social Services for seven years. She was also a Young Professionals Advisory Board member for The Villages, Indiana’s largest not-for-profit child and family services agency. She is an adoption competent therapist who graduated from the accredited Training for Adoption Competency.
She was a contributing author to Adoption Therapy: Perspectives from Clients and Clinicians on Processing and Healing Post-Adoption Issues (2014), the organizing editor of It’s Not About You: Understanding Adoptee Search, Reunion, & Open Adoption (2017), and author of three children’s workbooks. She has also authored adoption education materials and presented at numerous conferences and workshops throughout North America on a variety of topics.
Have a Question?
In addition to this training, I also provide individual and group consultation for Adoption Therapy. As a Consultant, I take a relational approach and collaborate with you on setting the frame to help your clients achieve optimal growth and healing.